Chapter 12.2

I jumped out of my bed looking at her and wondered.

“Better than that, the nobles seem very tired.”

“Now you’re a noble, too.”

“…I don’t know that.”

“Yes.”

“You can’t stay here without doing those things, can you?”

Cecilia came to me before I knew it.

With a slightly conflicted look on her face, she somehow winced at the sight of her emotionless face.

“I’m not going to do anything like that. I’m going to stay here because I’m amazing! So it’s possible, right?”

Please tell me it’s possible.

“Just do as you should… I’ll really just stay in the room with my mom.”

“At least learn how to live here.”

“Sigh.”

“First of all, eat well now, and then you’ll learn table manners and basic etiquette. I’ll go very slowly, so don’t worry too much.”

“…”

“You have to answer, okay?”

Cecilia changed into her sharp self,  as if she was constantly swapping between hot and cold water.

“…Okay.”

“I’m glad, though. I was a little afraid you’d say you’d be out in no time.”

“Do I look like that? Do you think I’ll be out soon?”

“I don’t know about anything else, but I like your eyes. There’s something… lady-like about it, unlike the other kids who came here, but it feels like you haven’t permeated it all completely.”

I was speechless by Cecilia’s sincere words. My heart tickled at her words.

“Oh, no. I won’t do such a thing.”

“That’s good to know, but the average of other kids are somehow trying to blend in. But, even the Lady wants to be here, but in the end, it doesn’t seem that way.”

“…That’s not true. No, I’m not. I’ll be here for a long time.”

Only then did Cecilia straighten her bent body.

Then she reached out her hand.

“If that’s the case, I’m glad. Then we’re going to have dinner.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re such a good listener that I thought you were someone else.”

“I’m not being obedient. I’m just listening because I’m hungry.”

Cecilia was a very eloquent person no matter how many times I looked at her.

Listening to her made me feel like I was falling for her words.

‘Smart people don’t fall for what they say.’

I made a firm commitment, before passing by her to sit at the table.

“I’m going to eat now.”

“Yes, of course.”

Following my words, Cecilia went out and prepared several meals without hesitation.

Looking at the food made my mouth water, but I slowly ate them.

The food in the Grand Duchy was excellent, as if they had rewarded me all at once for not eating properly since childhood.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad.”

It was a feast of delicious food that gave me goosebumps all over my body. After eating enough food to make my stomach full, I stretched myself in a chair.

“I’m full…”

I felt so satisfied when I filled my mouth with food, yet I didn’t feel well for not eating properly.

“Did you eat too much?”

“…No, I didn’t overeat. Please prepare this much for tomorrow.”

“If you say so. But, are you really okay?”

“What do you mean? I’m fine.”

“Would you like to go for a walk, if you don’t mind? You’ve been in here the whole time.”

No, I couldn’t move.

Actually, if I moved a little aggressively here, all the food I ate today would pop out of my mouth. Of course, all I ate was soup and hard bread so that didn’t bother me that much.

With that, I shook my head from side to side.

But Cecilia, who didn’t know, reached out to me.

“Let’s go.”

“…No, my mother’s here. Where am I going?”

“Don’t worry. The door will be locked, and no one will touch the person the Grand Duke ordered to protect.”

“However.”

“Is there a reason why you can’t?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I couldn’t go because I was full.

‘Because I’ll look weak. I’ll never do anything like a child.’

I had to look strong.

‘That’s because I’m strong! Don’t tell me things I already know and just say goodbye.’

I jumped down from my seat in conclusion.

“If you want to go so badly, then that’s it. Let’s go.”

“Are you really all right?”

“Yes, you said let’s go, but my mother is…”

“Don’t worry.”

In fact, the last time the barrier of the Grand Duchy was rebuilt, I put protective magic on my mother, so I don’t have much to worry about.

“This is a great opportunity to recognize it if there’s someone here who threatens my mother and I.”

It was filled with strong magic that will never break. Anyone who touched my mother should have a magical power that was powerful enough to faint on the spot.

Once I know who my real enemies are, it’s easier to catch them.

A gentle smile spread over my face.

Meanwhile, Cecilia, who approached me, once again reached out her hand to me.

But I didn’t hold her hand or anything.

“I’m not a child anymore. You don’t have to hold my hand.”

“…”

“Let’s go?”